The Bridge of San Luis Rey

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The Bridge of San Luis Rey

PG

Released Dec 22, 2004

2h 4m

Drama

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4%

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24 Reviews

36%

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1,000+ Ratings

During the Spanish Inquisition, Franciscan monk Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) witnesses the collapse of a bridge in Lima, Peru, and wonders why God has chosen to let five people perish. At a tribunal led by the imperious archbishop of Peru (Robert De Niro), the monk gives evidence about the tragedy's victims, including a marquesa (Kathy Bates) rejected by her daughter (Émilie Dequenne) and the beautiful mistress (Pilar López de Ayala) of a local nobleman (F. Murray Abraham).

Critics Consensus

Despite an all-star cast and some impressive visuals, The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a lifeless, slow-going adaptation of Thornton Wilder's classic novel.

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Stephen Garrett

Time Out

Why do good actors pop up in bad movies? More perplexingly, why do so many good actors end up in the same bad movie?

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Peter Howell

Toronto Star

As a director, McGuckian is overwhelmed by the immensity of her cast, and her misguided attempt to make a Hollywood epic on a European production budget.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jul 29, 2005

Full Review

Liam Lacey

Globe and Mail

Best characterized as an honourable folly.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 29, 2005

Full Review

Brandon Fibbs

BrandonFibbs.com

The Bridge of San Luis Rey is a beautiful movie. The film's shooting locations are exquisite. The sets are stunning. The costumes are gorgeous. The actors are superlative. Too bad the movie sucks.

Rated: 2/10

Feb 28, 2008

Full Review

Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

How to turn an embarrassment of riches into an embarrassment, period.

Rated: 0.5/4

Dec 14, 2005

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Dragan Antulov

Draxblog Movie Reviews

leaves audience with the same unanswered question as the one asked by its narrator

Rated: 4/10

Nov 27, 2005

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Alan P

Cannot begin to understand why this project evidently sank without a ripple! Magnificent film, extraordinary acting and mise en scene but the extremely complex storyline would make more sense after having first read the novel, which is easily found online, and of which it is totally faithful adaptation. I'd strongly recommend doing so.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/19/24

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Sue O

De Niro is washed up and should stop acting already!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/11/24

Full Review

Audience Member

It's unfairly maligned and features a dedicated cast that is unshakable. A guilty pleasure for those of us who enjoy well-costumed European period dramas.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I have no idea why the critics have panned this movie. The actors are great. The screenplay inventive. The costumes, the music are terrific. Production values are high. I enjoyed it, having just re-read the novel.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Starry cast but strangely lacking energy; the plot of the novel doesn't help

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

El primer y tercer acto son grandiosos, pero el segundo, o sea el desarrollo de la historia, es tan aburrido que ya entiendo porque a nadie le gustó esta película. Algunas obras literarias son muy difíciles de adaptar.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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Mary McGuckian

Director

Robert De Niro

The Archbishop

F. Murray Abraham

Virrey de Perú

Kathy Bates

The Marquesa

Gabriel Byrne

Brother Juniper

Geraldine Chaplin

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Synopsis

During the Spanish Inquisition, Franciscan monk Brother Juniper (Gabriel Byrne) witnesses the collapse of a bridge in Lima, Peru, and wonders why God has chosen to let five people perish. At a tribunal led by the imperious archbishop of Peru (Robert De Niro), the monk gives evidence about the tragedy's victims, including a marquesa (Kathy Bates) rejected by her daughter (Émilie Dequenne) and the beautiful mistress (Pilar López de Ayala) of a local nobleman (F. Murray Abraham).

Director: Mary McGuckian
Screenwriter: Mary McGuckian, Thornton Wilder
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Disturbing Images|Sensuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2004, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2005
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 24, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.9K
Runtime: 2h 4m